Ave Maria: Through the Years

In this file photo, most Reverend Bishop Frank Dewane marks the walls during the Anointing of the Walls of the Church at the dedication of Ave Maria's Oratory on March 31, 2008. Thousands gathered to see the University's centerpiece consecrated with a special service.

Staff

In this 2002 file photo, Thomas Monaghan, founder of Domino's Pizza and current chairman of the board for the Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Ave Maria Foundation, announced at the Laplaya Beach and Golf Resort the creation of the first new Catholic University in 40 years.

Staff

In this 2002 file photo, Bernard Dobranski announces the possibility of the Ave Maria Law School moving to the Naples area after the announcement of the creation of the Ave Maria University.

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In this 2002 file photo, a pre-recoreded statement Florida Govenor Jeb Bush sends out his support after the announcement of the creation of the Ave Maria University the first new Catholic University in 40 years to be established in Collier County after a press conference at the Laplaya Beach and Golf Resort on Wednesday.

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In this file photo, Design Principal Harry Warren, with Cannon Design, talks about the plans for Ave Maria on March 24, 2004, at LaPlaya Beach and Gulf Club during a press conference and is flanked by Thoman Monaghan, right, and Carole Carpenter, left. In front of him is the model for what will be one of the largest Catholic churches in the Northeast.

Kristen Bartlett/Staff

In this file photo, construction crews work on the infrastructure of Ave Maria University and the surrounding town near Immokalee Friday afternoon, September 30, 2005.

Darron R. Silva/Staff

In this file photo, construction crews work on the infrastructure of Ave Maria University and the surrounding town near Immokalee Friday afternoon, September 30, 2005.

Darron R. Silva/Staff

In this file photo, construction crews work on the infrastructure of Ave Maria University and the surrounding town near Immokalee Friday afternoon, September 30, 2005.

Darron R. Silva/Staff

In this file photo, workers with Ben Gray Concrete pour concrete for the foundation of the oratory at Ave Maria University on Saturday May 13, 2006. Workers poured about 3000 yards of concrete on the site. The university is slated to open in the fall of 2007.

Tracy Boulian/Staff

Large concrete walls of a building are erected in the Ave Maria University Town near Immokalee Tuesday, July 10, 2006.

Garrett Hubbard/Staff

In this file photo, steel workers construct the Oratory during a media tour in 2006 on the grounds of Ave Maria about 30 miles from Naples near Immokalee. The Oratory, a 1,100 capacity church will be the center of plaza for the town and University.

Anthony Souffle/Staff

Construction of Ave Maria University from the air on February 2, 2007.

Tracy Boulian/Staff

Aerial of Ave Maria in 2007.

Submitted

In this file photo, Estero resident Stanley Stickney looks up at the ceiling of the Oratory as he and other members of the public get their first look at the inside of the structure during the town's open house in 2007 at Ave Maria. "Talk about an erector set," said Stickney about the building that sits in the middle of the new town.

Staff

Ave Maria University rendering

Ave Maria University rendering

Ave Maria University

Ave Maria University

Ave Maria University

Ave Maria aerials on August 9, 2007.

Staff

Ave Maria aerials on August 9, 2007.

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Ave Maria aerials on August 9, 2007.

Staff

In this file photo, the bookstore is currently the only open business in the developing community of Ave Maria where as other businesses open they will face several months of operation before the "town settlers" will be moving into the community.

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In this file photo, Ave Maria junior Peter Dittus, 19, stocks the Ave Maria University Bookstore shelves with used books as they prepare for the semester on August 9, 2007 in Ave Maria. The bookstore is currently the only open business in the developing community of Ave Maria where as other businesses open they will face several months of operation before the "town settlers" will be moving into the community.

Staff

In this file photo, freshman Annelise Mullen, left, and junior, Christa McMahon, wait in line at the Ave Maria Bookstore as they shop for classroom required reading. McMahon, who attended the school when it was located in North Naples, was impressed with amount of space on the new campus. "It's actually a walk to classes now," McMahon said.

Staff

In this file photo, the opening procession beings the dedication of Ave Maria's Oratory on March 31, 2008. Thousands gathered to see the University's centerpiece consecrated with a special service.

Staff

In this file photo, founder Tom Monaghan, chancellor of Ave Maria University, stands in the front pew at the dedication of Ave Maria's Oratory on March 31, 2008. Thousands gathered to see the University's centerpiece consecrated with a special service.